Super Rugby 2018: Lions v Sharks Preview

South African rugby rivalries will be renewed this weekend with the Lions and Sharks set to square off in the first national derby of the year on Saturday the 17th of February.

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s finally here! Super Rugby gets back underway this weekend with two mouth-watering contests. The pick of the action will take place in Johannesburg on Saturday when the Lions entertain the Sharks. The two-time losing finalist Lions begin their first season without influential coach Johan Ackermann at the helm and their performances in the coming months are sure to make for fascinating viewing.Lions v Sharks Saturday 17 FebruaryEmirates Airlines Park17:15

Lions
A new era beckons at the Lions this week as the pride of Johannesburg attempt to adjust to life without their beloved “Coach Ackers” for the first time since their return to Super Rugby. The former Springbok forward was the heartbeat of a side that went on to lose two consecutive Super Rugby finals, in 2016 and 2017, but Gautengers will be hoping that Ackermann’s former right-hand man, Swys de Bruin, can keep things on the up and up in Egoli.

That said, one shouldn’t expect too much to change from a Lions perspective. With a settled squad of players and a coach familiar with the side’s structures, the Lions should be back up and roaring again in no time. Naturally, the key to their accomplishments this season will rest with the senior player group, and the likes of Warren Whiteley, Jaco Kriel, Elton Jantjies, Malcolm Marx and Franco Mostert will need to rally their teammates around them if they are to continue in a similar vein as seasons past.

The Sharks pose a tricky challenge first up for the Lions, who should take the win with a dominant forward display. The Natalians thrive off gain line dominance and will struggle to assert themselves if they are going backwards in the collisions. Indeed, heavy-hitters such as Malcolm Marx will be key in this regard as they look to curb the visitors’ momentum throughout the 80.

Sharks
Robert du Preez’s men have had a few very promising preseason results and will be confident of upsetting the Lions at home in round one. Du Preez’s no-nonsense approach seems to have worked wonders for the Currie Cup runners-up and there is every reason to believe that they can build on their domestic success with a solid run in this season’s edition of Super Rugby.

The truth can be as mundane as Naas Botha’s post-match SuperSport analysis, but the fact of the matter is that the Sharks will win the contest if they boss the breakdown and collisions. Slowing down quick Lion ball, something off of which they thrive, will be crucial to their hopes while keeping up with their intensity and fitness-levels will also prove crucial.

It will be fascinating to see whether the Sharks do opt for a more running approach or stick to what worked for them in last season’s Currie Cup. On the basis of their opponents this week, they may just opt for the latter.

The Cell C Sharks

Juan Schoeman

Franco Marais

Thomas du Toit

Ruan Botha (Captain)

Stephan Lewies

Philip van der Walt

Jacques Vermeulen

Keegan Daniel

Cameron Wright

Robert du Preez

Makazole Mapimpi

Andre Esterhuizen

Lukhanyo Am

Sbu Nkosi

Lwazi Mvovo

Replacements

Akker van der Merwe

John-Hubert Meyer

Beast Mtawarira

Hyron Andrews

Daniel du Preez

Michael Claassens

Curwin Bosch

Kobus van Wyk

The Lions

Jacques van Rooyen

Malcolm Marx

Ruan Dreyer

Andries Ferreira

Franco Mostert

Kwagga Smith

Cyle Brink

Warren Whiteley

Ross Cronje

Elton Jantjies

Aphiwe Dyantyi

Harold Vorster

Lionel Mapoe

Sylvian Mahuza

Andries Coetzee

Replacements

Robbie Coetzee

Dylan Smith

Jacobie Adriaanse

Marvin Orie

Marnus Schoeman

Hacjivah Dayimani

Howard Mnisi

Rohan Janse van Rensburg

Verdict: Sharks (+8.5) 9/10An upset is certainly not beyond the realms of reality, but I do think that the Lions will have the pedigree to take this one at home. I am backing the Sharks to run them close though; they sure do look like a team on the up!

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